Expect Wolverines to give Harbaugh dominating home win

Week 1 is in the books and unfortunately it wasn’t good for yours truly. Auburn couldn’t hold on to a 24-point lead (-10.5) and Wisconsin (+12.5) couldn’t trade points with the Tide. It’s a long year, and I preach money management. Don’t get greedy. On a non-point spread note Ohio State, Alabama, Texas A&M and Notre Dame impressed me the most last weekend. And what is up with Texas? All that money, first-class facilities, huge fan base and their own network. Pitiful! Could you imagine this state if Auburn or Alabama were doing what the Longhorns have been up to lately? Mass hysteria!

Oregon State at Michigan –14.5

New Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh got off to a tough start last week losing on the road at Utah. Today he’s back home playing at the Big House in front of 100,000+ maze & blue faithful. Oregon State is the perfect opponent. The Beavers start a true freshmen at quarterback, and their defense returns only two starters. Michigan had a few extra days to get quarterback Jake Rudock dialed in after a subpar opening performance. He’ll be ready. The Wolverines by three TDs.

Georgia – 21 at Vanderbilt

Is CBS obligated to show Vandy like once every five years? I’m sure the suits in New York were thrilled to see the Commodores go down last week to Western Kentucky. The ratings for this game might beat a test pattern. I’m not sure Verne & Gary have ever broadcast from Vanderbilt Stadium. Might be their first and last visit. This “contest” will get ugly early. I expect to see more Red and Black in the stands than Commodore gold. Dawgs coach Mark Richt is under a little pressure to get his team back into championship mode. It starts here with an SEC opener. Hard to believe the last time these two met in Nashville, Tennessee, UGA left with a 31-27 loss. Not today! Dawgs by 30.

Temple at Cincinnati – 6.5

Tommy Tuberville’s Bearcat team is the favorite in the AAC going into conference play tonight at home. The going will be difficult against a hyped up Temple squad that beat Penn State last week for the first time since 1941. The Owls have 17 returning starters back from last season. Their running back, Jahad Thomas, will exploit a Cincy defense that ranked 96th in total yards last year. Quarterback P.J. Walker will work play action to a talented group of wide receivers. Temple had 10, that’s right, 10 sacks last week. against the Nittany Lions. Watch out Gunner Kiel! Temple looks to win out right, but take the points just in case.

East Carolina at Florida – 20.5

Don’t let last year’s Birmingham Bowl between these two fool you. Much different set of circumstances this time as new Gator head coach Jim McElwain has put offense back in the Florida dictionary. It didn’t take long for him to figure out he has a lot of speed and talent in Gainesville. The Gators are a rebuilding team with positive characteristics at a discounted price. ECU is playing a backup quarterback and is a miserable 1-9 against the spread in its last 10 outings. Gators by 27.

John Longshore is a sports analyst for the Alabama News Network CBS-8 & ABC Montgomery. He also co-hosts the Budweiser Sportsline on WMSP Sportsradio 740 weekday mornings from 7-10 a.m.